Oregonians bought a record-setting amount of cannabis last month, according to new numbers from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
Cannabis sales in May increased 60% compared to the same time last year. TJ Sheehy, with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, said that for the first time ever, sales were over $100 million in one month.
“The marijuana tax fund is really the only bright spot in the state budget right now. In terms of taxable sales it was about $15 million that’s going to go to the school fund, city and county governments,” Sheehy said.
Cannabis stores have stayed open during the COVID-19 pandemic adapting to social distancing requirements.
Not everyone is pleased by the increase. The group Smarter Approaches to Marijuana points out that cannabis use among 12- to 17-year-olds is increasing at about 3.5% every year.
Oregon prohibits cannabis sales to those under 21.
